Snow-velocipede.



C. B. MERGER.

SNOW VELOOIPEDE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 31, 1912.

1,070,1 59, Patented Aug. 12, 1913.

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C. B. MERGER.

' SNDW VELOOIPEDE.

APPLICATION FILED we. 31, 1912.

Patented Aug. 12, 1913.

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. lTED STATES PATENT @FFTE.

CHARLES B. MERCER, OF WEST PITTSTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

SNOW-VELOCIPEDE.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, CHARLES B. MERCER, acitizen of the United States, residing at Vest Pittston, in the countyof Luzerne and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and usefulImprovements in SnowVeloci pedes, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to self propelled ice and snow vehicles and moreparticularly to ice and snow velocipedes.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a readilyconvertible device of this character and also to provide a device uponwhich the operator may coast or propel the vehicle at will.

Further objects of this invention will appear as the following specificdescription is read in connection with the accompanying drawing, whichforms a part of this application, and in which Figure 1 is a sideelevation. Fig. 2 is a front elevation. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectionalview on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a rear elevation.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, 1 represents the front forksof the vehicle which are constructed, as shown, of a substantiallyV-shaped piece of metal having their lower ends provided with verticalslots 2 to receive the axle 3 of the driving wheel 4 which is providedon its periphery with an annular series of snow or ice engaging teeth 5.The legs of the fork extend below the axle where they have securedthereto suitable runner frames 6 preferably in such a manner that theymay be readily removed when it is desired to convert the vehicle into anordinary velocipede. Adjacent the upper portion of the forks, there issecured thereto a handle bar 7. Immediately below the same, there isextended between the legs of the fork and secured thereto a rectangularframe 8 in which is mounted a rod 9 arranged for vertical movement. Theupper end of the rod is provided with a head 10 and surrounding the rodintermediate the head and the frame 8 is a spiral spring 11 whichnormally elevates the rod, as will be readily understood. The lower endof the rod is rigidly connected to a yoke 12 which extends downwardly ondiverging lines and has its opposite ends or legs apertured to receivethe axle 3. In order to operate the rod so that the wheel 1 may bedepressed to Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 31, 1912.

Patented Aug. 12,1913.

Serial No. 718,074.

carry its toothed periphery below the runners 6, there is mountedbetween the legs of the fork a shaft 13 having journaled thereon a camlever 14 adapted to bear against the upper end of the head 10 of the rod9. When this lever is in vertical position, the rod 9 is depressed andthe wheel 4 moved downwardly so that its toothed periphery is arrangedbeloi the runner and the vehicle may be propelled as will be hereinafterdescribed. The axle 3 has secured to its terminals suitable cranks 15upon which are mounted foot pedals 16 for rotating the wheel 1 in theusual manner of velocipedes and the like.

Mounted upon the rod 9 between opposite sides of the frame 8 is a head17 to which is rigidly secured the rear forks 18 of the velocipede.These rear forks extend downwardly on a diagonal line and diverge so asto be properly secured to the rear runner frame 19. The runners arebraced to the forms by means of diagonal struts 20, as shown, and thefork 18 has secured thereto a suitable clip 21 in which the seat post 22is adjust-ably mounted.

What is claimed is 1. A device of the class described comprising frontand rear forks pivotally connected together, runners carried by saidforks, a driving wheel journaled and vertically movable in the frontforks, means for holding the driving wheel depressed with its peripherybelow the runners, and means for automatically elevating the wheel whenthe holding means is released.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with front andrear forks pivotally connected together, runners on said forks, a seatcarried by the rear forks, a driving wheel journaled in and verticallymovable in the front forks, means for depressing the driving wheelwhereby its periphery will be carried below the runners, said meanscomprising in part a rod upon which the rear forks are pivot-ed, andmeans for automatically elevating the driving wheel when the holdingmeans is released.

3. In combination, front forks having mounted thereon rear forks havingrunners, a driving wheel vertically movable in the front forks, a springelevated rod slidably mounted in the forks, a head rigidly connected tothe rear forks and journaled upon said rod, an operating connection between the rod and the driving wheel, means for holding the rod inlowered position, and means for automatically elevating the same whenthe holding means is released.

at. In combination, front forks having mounted thereon rear forks havingrunners, a driving wheel vertically movable in the front forks, a springelevated rod slid ably mounted in the forks, a head rigidly connected tothe rear forks and journaled upon said rod, an operating connectionbetween the rod and the driving wheel, a cam lever for lowering the rodand holding the same in lowered position, and a spring for automaticallyelevating the red when the cam lever is thrown to inoperative position.

5. In combination, front forks having runners thereon, rear forks havingrunners thereon, a driving wheel journaled and vertically movable in thefront forks, a yoke slidably mounted in the front forks and connected tothe axle of the driving wheel, a rectangular bearing frame secured inthe front forks, a rod rigidly connected to the yoke and slidablymounted in the hearing frame, a head journaled on the rod between thesides of the bearing frame and rigidly secured to the rear forks, meansfor raising and lowering the rod and thereby the driving wheel, andpedal cranks connected to the driving wheel.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES B. MERCER. lVitnesses Mioi-nxnn CALLAHAN, Tnorms E. LINNEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Eatenta. Washington, D. C.

